Bill Jennings, who dreamed of opening a hot-dog stand in his teenage years, isn't going anywhere.

The New Kent County Board of Supervisors last night voted 4-1 to approve an amendment to the zoning ordinance that allows Bill's Hot Dogs to continue business as usual. Although the stand has operated since 2004, the ordinance previously did not list mobile food units as a permitted use.

Supervisor Stran L. Trout, who represents the district where Bill's operates at U.S. 60 and Courthouse Road, voted against the measure, citing concerns that it would set a countywide restaurant standard based on a single hot-dog stand. He said he has nothing against the business and even admitted being partial to Bill's crab-cake sandwiches.

The amendment is intended to regulate all mobile food units, including those that move around every day. But it contains a provision for units that stay in the same place most of the time, such as Jennings' concession trailer.

"It's like somebody just took a load of bricks off my shoulder," Jennings said after the vote.

Jennings and seven other residents spoke in support of the hot-dog stand at a public hearing last night.

John Reed said that his son, who is serving in the Air Force in Baghdad, had reacted unfavorably to news that Bill's could be in jeopardy. "They talking about closing Bill's?" Reed said, reading an e-mail from his son, John C. Reed. "Say it ain't so."

Brenda J. Armstead, who has multiple sclerosis and walks with a cane, said Jennings brings her order to her car. "He's a good guy," she said, "and I feel like you need to let his stand stay where it's at."

David Horsley Sr., who rents Jennings the land for his stand, said it would be a shame to close him down.

"How many people," Horsley asked the board, "have a hot-dog stand as a lifelong dream?"
Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or rwilliams@timesdispatch.com.